Author's Note: Well, I'm probably going to end up with these "Author Note's" once every chapter. Like I said, I only get like two hours on the laptop every weekday, so it sucks. I'm trying to update as fast as possible. I have stuff in mind for this chapter, obviously, but if you have an idea, feel free to blurt it out. I might even put it in this story! Anyways, thanks for reading and reviewing (I LOVE reviews).

Special thanks to: Kassandra203 and siriuslover101. You're my first reviewers! I enjoy your support! Thank-you again ~

Eerie midnight consumes me.

Just as the day blinds my vision.

I'm without you.

I'm with you.

Must I not see your smile?

Chapter Two: A Secret... Revealed.

Sunday, they had seen Hatori's softer side, just a squinch, but it was better than nothing. Monday came and went. The Treehouse was always interesting… in a way. But it was hard getting up, because, well… she really didn't like heights and they had to have her close her eyes and get on Kana's back as she climbed. Despite the struggle, Rei made it up, and the procedure downwards, was reverse, so Mayuko stayed at the bottom just in case Kana fell. Which she didn't, thank goodness. It was a good thing that Rei was very light and didn't weigh much… So it was Tuesday now. And Rei had to head off to school with her sister.

"Imouto! Make sure, you're warm because it's very cold out this morning." Kana called. Her rosy cheeks were almost hidden by the large scarf that she was wearing. When Rei peeked from the hallways, her sister found that her scarf was even larger on her, making her look very small and delicate with the look on her face. "Ahh! Kawaii, desu~ I'm so happy I have such an adorable sister~" Kana's soft voice wriggled through her blue scarf as she hugged Rei. The second grader blushed and hid her face in Kana's fluffy jacket with an embarrassed look. Such a doting sister. Rei was honored to have her around since her parents weren't the least bit of affectionate to her.

And so the two set off through cold air and warming one another with their hands when the cold nipped them. The walk to school wasn't that long, and Mayuko met them at the Sohma's gate, so the three went altogether with warm smiles and giggles to contribute to their happiness. The jokes made them chortle with laughter up half way to school. Just the memories they told one another or the random things that happened on accident were enough to make them fall over. Like when Mayuko mistook a bird for a rag on the fence; and it scared the life out of her when it flew away so suddenly that she fell on her bottom. Kana and Rei burst out giggling, knowing that they too thought it was not a bird, but another inanimate object that they didn't really want to touch.

Soon, they arrived at their school and they separated, leaving Rei to walk to her own class. She had a few friends in her class, but many of them bullied her (or encouraged other to) since she was "weird" and "too quiet". Ichiru smiled at her during class - he was always kind and encouraging. Sometimes he came to play, but most of the time it was just herself and Maki playing during recess together - making little sand castles with the little material they could find to build it with. Sometimes Maki brought a friend with her, but Rei sort of forgot her name… Something like Kiki. The only thing she could remember was that she had dark, red hair and her mom was Irish, her dad, Japanese. Including to the friends she had, there was always the bully. There were so many, but one caught her attention the most, was the boy she sat next to during class. Sai… He always pulled her hair when the teacher wasn't looking... It was so troublesome and irritating!

Finally, after another grueling day of class, she trudged over to the sixth grade area and waited for Kana and Mayu-chan. The came out after a minute or two, but told her that they wanted to have one on one time - to go to the mall together. Rei nodded politely and accepted their request, and walked with them off of school campus until they had to part ways once more. Kana told her that the boys would look after her since she knew Rei didn't like staying home alone. "They'll take good care of you~ Don't worry, Imouto." Her warm smile had reminded her of how the mothers waiting for their children looked like when they went to pick them up. Embracing them and holding their hands as they walked home… together. The two were gone now, so the young girl was off on her own.

Rei laid her right hand over her left and tried to make it like they intertwined - like those of a child and mother's, but was spooked by someone running up towards her. "Rei-chan~!" Oh. It was Ayame. Of course. He easily caught up with her because she had stuttered and watched him with an embarrassed look. How odd… Today was going to be weird with her and the boys. Only her… And three boys. Her blush became brighter as she repeated it in her head. The boy only rubbed her head (in which she strained to resist), and listened slightly as he began to rant. "Oh, you're such a naughty little girl. Didn't Kana-chan tell you that we were going to watch over you, while she and Mayu-chan were spending time with one another? You should of at least waited by the fence that divided the younger kids from the older ones for a moment or two… It wouldn't be my fault if you suddenly got kidnapped by a stranger." He emphasized his last word and Rei gulped, backing to the fence while Shigure watched with a delighted smile. "Yes, yes, Ayame's right for once… You could have. But since you have us, there's no need to worry." He ran a hand through his dark hair and sighed, speaking in a dramatic tone, "Oh~ I would feel horrible if Kana had found out that you were kidnapped.. She'd cry and cry…" Rei whimpered. 'Kana-chan…'

"Stop it. She's learned her lesson. Let's just get home now, you masochists…" Hatori intervened and tugged the two by the collar of their school shirts. Rei's blush soon faded as she followed the three. Eventually, she pulled her teddy out of her backpack and used him as a comfort object since it was so odd that she was walking with them without having someone - whether it be Mayu and Kana - to hold on to. And besides, she'd never dare to hold one of their hands. It was too abnormal, and unnecessary.

The family estate.

"Ah~" Shigure threw his book bag on the grass and himself as well, yawning. There was no progression in the familiarity. Ayame was lively, but Shigure and Hatori weren't as much at the moment… "Ugh. I can't believe I spent that much time on that stupid essay after we hung out yesterday. I could've sworn I stayed up until one or two in the morning…" Ayame bumped in, "That's not enough sleep for a growing boy~" he said playfully and leaned on his shoulder after sitting down with his sleepy cousin.

Rei watched quietly. A bit sheepishly, really. Her silvery, gray hair was up in it's usual hime-cut ponytail. She was wearing a blue pair of an overalls that were more like a dress than what they really were. Under her overalls was a black, long-sleeved shirt that went past her hands. Really, she was an adorable sight, so someone ought to think, if they ever were to know her secret, how could anyone disdain such a wonderful sight?

But then it happened again.

Why did he have to be so obnoxious?

"No! Ayame-kun!" she squeaked and began running after the cunning, young man. Fast he was… But her light body gave her an advantage since she didn't have much mass to carry. "Give him back, Aya-kun!" This was the first time she called him 'Aya', but she had often heard Kana and Mayu call him that… But even so, his long silver hair didn't stop flowing in the wind he had created, laughing while he ran. Forced to stop running because of his surreal laughter, he threw the animal to Hatori and rolled in the grass, somersaulting next to Shigure, still bellowing. "Ahahaaaahhhh! I haven't heard that from your mouth before…" he kept chortling about the little incident, but was unaware what was next to happen.

Now seeing that her teddy bear was in Hatori's hands, she felt somewhat relieved, but embarrassed that she'd have to confront him. Her pace slowed gradually as she ran to him, but she wasn't expecting to trip… Over the darnedest thing… Her shoelaces. I mean, they were always flapping, and she never really tripped except once (because another kid stepped on it when she was stepping with the same foot, causing her to collide with the pavement). . "Eck!" she flailed her arms around and her body slammed into Hatori's.

There was an enormous popping sound.

What was happening?

Did she do that?

Rei saw her Teddy fly.

"Teddy!"

Smoke covered the area and there was a silence.

".. Ha-.. Hatori?" she squeaked, patting the ground, searching for a warm human body.

What she touched… this was cold. Scaly… but… she felt it moving.

The smoke cleared.

"HATORI!" she screeched as she found the little seahorse lying among the boy's clothing. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!" she wailed and held the unconscious animal to her body, running around, unsure of what to do.

Shigure got up and told her to calm down and come with him quickly, while Ayame followed the two anxiously. It happened every so often. Hatori, having learnt the trait of hypnosis from his father, would have to erase children and adults' minds when they discovered this secret.

It was one of the most kept quiet secrets of the Sohma family. Even many of the Sohmas did not know what it was. Usually only the parents of the "animal" and the maids in certain cases. The head knew everything, of course.

The Bathroom.

The small being was set into a bathtub filled with cool water and left until there was another large pop. There was a slosh of water in the background as well as the friction of fabrics moving across a bare body. Rei blushed as she waited outside, tear-stained. It was her fault… Again. Everything she did always caused people misery and pain. Mommy, daddy, perhaps Kana, and now, even Hatori? Why was she born to be in such a position? It hurt her as much as the people. So she thought at least…

"You know, you've discovered one of our most biggest secrets here…" Shigure spoke calmly, looking down at his feet for a moment, then moving his gaze to Rei. "Hatori, as you have seen, is the shrimpy Dragon of the Chinese Zodiac." he smiled painfully and was about to move the topic on until the bathroom door opened, revealing a damp-haired Hatori. Scowling at Shigure, obviously having heard his sentence, the tall boy left the hallway in search of peace.

Rei sniffled again. Now he was mad at her… "I'm sorry…" she murmured again. She didn't need to hide the tone in her voice, because Ayame could almost tell that it was pity. Or perhaps regret. He wasn't sure. Shigure assumed it was a mixture of the two as he watched the child, but continued on. "Your parents have told you the Chinese Zodiac story, right?"

The girl shook her head, "Kana told me, though."

Shigure nodded and resumed, "Ayame, Hatori, myself, and a few more, some to even be born, are the Zodiacs of the moment. We change forms whenever someone of the opposite gender hugs us, or if we're stressed or sick." The girl watched him. What was he getting to? "This… is an immense secret. And we can't count on anyone, but ourselves to keep it a secret. Anything found out is reported to the Head of the house… and people who have found out-" Ayame finished his sentence for him, " have their memories erased."

Rei looked up at him in shock.

It was a dream, it had to be.

This wasn't real…

She couldn't forget Hatori!

"No!"